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Tuesday, November 30, 2010

“Every sale has five basic obstacles: no need, no money, no hurry, no desire, no trust.”~Zig Ziglar

November started out like any other month. And then on November 4th I got an email. This email appeared to be from PayPal telling me that I had money in my account. But it was in my spam folder so I was naturally suspicious. And it was also telling me that in order to get the money I had to upgrade my account. Now the warning bells were going off.

I was sure that I was being duped. I started combing the message boards on PayPal for evidence of a 'spoof' email. Then I noticed that this money was indeed in my account. I was wary of random dollars floating into my PayPal account. Now I was really worried. I mean, this had never happened to me before. It wasn't until I went back to my email and found the alert in my Etsy folder that I sat down and had a good laugh.

I wasn't being 'spoofed'...I was getting my first sale on Etsy! And I needed to upgrade my PayPal so that I could accept credit card payments. ;-)

Ha ha ha! {Yes, you can all laugh heartily at my foibles. The only thing that would have been funnier would be if I had actually hit the panic button and fired off my supposed 'spoof' email off to PayPal....they would have thought I was an even bigger idiot and I am sure that I would have been the talk around the watercooler at PayPal!}

Since I am behind the rest of the world on the whole Etsy thing, I thought that those of you with Etsy or online websites would find that true story funny, and maybe my insights might help anyone waffling as to selling online. Or make you recall your first sales and how that felt if you are a master online seller {because I know that many of you are!}. Here 10 things that I have learned through this experience...

1::Just list something!
Why did it take me so long to get it out there? I think that I was so concerned with having everything right that I was afraid to list anything. You can't sell it if you don't list it!
﻿

{Endlessly Bountiful - isn't this a great picture?
The light captures the intense color and sparkle.
Featuring lampwork glass from SueBeads - SOLD}

﻿2::Take great pictures! I have had to rethink my pictures. The dimensions were all wrong. Deciding what part to focus on. Whether to use props or not. Since light is at a premium with these shorter days of winter, I have set up a make-shift indoor studio with some bits of vellum taped over a bright lamp {but AutoCorrect in Picasa is still my best friend}. I am investigating the props that won't detract but will enhance my shots. I try to take a close up, a mid-shot and a full shot at minimum. Whatever you do, make them great!
﻿

3::Write amazing descriptions!
Your pictures get someone to take a closer look; your words get them to buy. You want your shoppers to know a bit about you but more importantly about the thing you are selling. Be sure to make it engaging, tell a story to create a mood, include dimensions and what it is made from. Be yourself and find the style that works for you.
﻿

﻿4::Know who you are!
I spent a lot of time researching shop policies and deciding exactly how I wanted the experience to be for my potential customers. I focused on a banner and avatar before I even had a thing to sell. I thought a lot about what I could do that might make me different. Let's face it... you are one in a million out there. But you are one with your own unique story to tell. Make sure that shines through.

5::Be accessible!
I responded immediately to that convo and made a personal connection with that first buyer. Turns out she used to live about 40 minutes from where I am...now we have a real connection.
﻿

﻿6::Go the extra mile! My second sale was local, so in this case it was a literal mile. She was someone who had followed me during my gallery exhibit this summer. I offered to deliver the earrings to her personally. Again, another connection. In another sale I put in a surprise pair of matching earrings. I know that I appreciate when someone puts a little something extra in and I want to continue paying that forward.

7::Be flexible!
On the third sale I was contacted from someone overseas asking about shipping. So I had to learn something new about shipping to a foreign country and added that to my shop. And because of that I got two sales instead of just one. Now someone in Europe will be wearing my jewelry, and that is just too exciting! {And it might be the closest I will ever get to visiting there!}

﻿

{W.O.W. Pendant - custom made - SOLD}

﻿8::Get custom!

The beauty of Etsy is that people can reach out and connect with artists on a personal level and get exactly what they want. I know some artists' shy away from custom orders and adopt a 'what-you-see-is-what-you-get' mentality. My favorite pieces are the ones created with the spirit of the person it was intended for in mind. I have my first reserved order for a custom pendant inspired by the one above but created to her exact specifications. I love that. I hope she will, too.

{Packaging and branding are important!}

9::Little touches=Big magic
Consider your packaging. I have seen some awesome packaging ideas lately. Check out the Flickr stream Etsy Packaging. Whatever you do, make sure it builds your brand and shows that you care about your customers. For me, I have a copper box with a clear sticker of my signature skeleton key logo and custom imprinted chocolate satin ribbon with my company name and key. Oh, and a key tag. There is one on every necklace and bracelet. But the most important thing to me is a hand written note. Make the experience as personal as possible.

10::Know how they found you!
My first 4 sales came in the first week in November, but why? I don't play the re-listing game {but if you have had success with that, do tell!}. The first two pieces sold to a woman who picked up a magazine and discovered she could get the exact one-of-a-kind pieces from the spread. The third sale was to a local woman who followed me. The fourth sale came from someone in France who had seen me posting on blogs and found my website through that. Always ask. And then keep doing that thing that helped them find you. I know I will continue trying to be published and listing those pieces in Etsy, expanding my local influence, and creating real connections on blogs and websites.

I agree with Zig in the opening quote... to be successful selling all you have to do is figure out how to fill a void, price it right, create the urgency, feed the desire and gain the trust of your potential customers. Simple, no?

I don't know if it gets any easier to navigate selling online, but I do believe what my best friend who encouraged me to open that Etsy shop said... selling on Etsy is like a big ocean...there is a lot of room so jump on in and splash around.

Come on in. The water's fine...

Do you remember your first sale online? If you have not sold online, what is holding you back?Any Etsy or online selling tips you would care to share?

Monday, November 29, 2010

Each Monday the Art Bead Scene features the Designer of the Week. One of our editors picks her favorite from the Monthly Challenge entries. The inspiration piece is Klimt's Tree of Life, such a gorgeous painting.

"Klimt’s Tree of Life painting has a metallic and complicated patterning to it, and Pam's piece has picked up on the coloring and the unique design so effectively. I love the use of the natural stone colors and the boro lampwork beads, to capture the luminous effect of the Klimt. And the focal component captures the dots and swirls in a subtle way, repeating the Klimt effect beautifully. I'm in love with all things metal and glass, so this is the top of the pick for me, combining both. Beautiful work, Pam!"

Congratulations, Pam! Your entry got you in the running to have a chance to win over $100 of art beads from this month's sponsors.

Saturday, November 27, 2010

Welcome to Studio Saturday! Each week one of our contributors gives you a sneak peek into their studio, creative process or inspirations. We ask a related question of our readers and hope you'll leave comments! As an incentive we offer a free prize each week to bribe you to use that keyboard. The following week we choose a random winner.

This week we're in the studio of Lynn Davis, lately she's been thinking ornamentally.

I've been casting some pewter with a medieval or ancient feeling, thinking about making ornaments for the house rather than wearable ornaments. But then I thought - why couldn't they be a bit of both.

So I created some pieces that look a bit like medals or medallions, with ancient writing on them. The first photo is an oval and heart-shaped ornament that has two holes at the top and one at the bottom, for a bright dangle to be added.

This one has a shape like an iron cross, with a spot in the center where a bright rhinestone could be added, for a little extra bling if you like. And a hole at the top and bottom for a dangle or to add heavy chain.

With a hanger added, I thought they'd be pretty on the tree or on a wreath.

I even thought about framing some velvet, so that when they're not being worn, they could be decorations for the wall as home decor. I love things that are multi-purpose, don't you? To be enjoyed and worn outside the house, and not tucked away in a drawer when not being worn - to keep them visible and enjoy them all the time.

This is a necklace with a very long strand of costume pearls that I can wear by slipping over my head. But it also can be hung around a bannister for a stairway, or draped over the knob on an antique dresser as a kind of simple ornament, when it's not being worn.

So here's my question for this week's Studio Saturday giveaway:

Have you thought about combining wearables with decorations for the season? How would you picture using art beads for a multi-purpose effect? Do you decorate your home, holiday table or giftwrap using art beads?

Reply to the question by posting a comment on this post and you can win one of my medieval style hand cast pewter ornaments, and you can decide whether to wear, decorate - or both!

Thursday, November 25, 2010

The homework this week for the Etsy Boot Camp was all about packaging. I've gathered together links, tutorials and some eye candy on the subject. These are great whether you sell your jewelry or just want some creative ideas for your holiday gift wrapping!

First, above is the gift wrapping I'm offering in my shop. It's a strip of decorative tissue paper wrapped around the box with a ribbon, simple but cute. The gift card was created using my earring cards with a little rubber stamp magic.

I'm always thrilled when beads arrive packaged creatively. I don't mind spartan packaging when I'm buying beads, but it's always a nice treat when they arrive looking like this package did from Gaea. Isn't that awesome? She used a little bead as the closure. I asked Gaea about it and you are in luck - it's from a tutorial from Beads4you.

Lorelei made these paper boxes for her open house one year. I've made these for gifts before too - they are super easy to make. You can find this free tutorial from Etsy.

I'm all over this - you can create your own faux bois (fake wood) wrapping paper. We do a woodland theme for our holiday decorating so this is one I'm going to try. You can find this tutorial here from Martha Stewart.

I love the idea of adding an ornament to a package, like Kylie Parry's mini trees. You could also use an art bead on a gift for someone who makes jewelry. Check out the Gift Wrapping with Beads article.

With a pretty ribbon you can take a simple package and transform it into a treasure. Here are three alternatives:

I'm really digging printed Japanese masking tape. These would be awesome wrapped around a box instead of a ribbon. Do a search on etsy for Japanese masking tape to see all the amazing colors and designs available.

I hope this has put you in the holiday mood! Don't forget to scroll down for our weekend specials from the ABS gang and check out the comments for sales from our readers.

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

I can not tell you how thankful I am for each and every one of you who stop by and read the Art Beads Scene. Our community is amazing - brimming with inspiration, friendship and creativity, and you make it happen! So with gratefulness for your support, our Art Bead Scene contributors are sharing some special promotions with you today.

While you are eating another piece of pumpkin pie and letting someone else wash the dishes, treat yourself to a little stress free holiday shopping this weekend.

Join us tomorrow for a round up of creative packaging ideas for the holidays!

The sales will last Thursday through Monday unless otherwise noted below.

Feel free to share your shop link and Thanksgiving weekend special in the comment section below.

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

I picked this magzine up the other day and have been pouring over it during my lunch breaks. I dissect each project, discovering the surprising ways the contributors kept 101 designs fresh, beautiful and innovative. If you love Stringing magazine, you'll want to pick up this issue. The projects are strung or simple wire-work and bursting with creativity.

There are 3 awesome features including a primer on what makes a successful bracelet, the tricks of layering necklaces and an easy way to knot pearls. And dear reader, after seeing Danielle Fox's 'Bunny Love' bracelet you will have an inexplicable desire to knot pearls! Gaea Cannaday has a great project that takes you through the steps of creating a natural patina on copper. And you can learn how to make a handmade sterling silver chain bracelet from Janice Berkebile.

I should mention there are only 3 earring projects. My favorite part of the magazine - they are heavy on the art beads and showcase the work of a wide range of talented beadmakers.

I encourage you to look at your favorite projects, study them as a lesson and take this short quiz:

1. What is the first thing I notice about this design?

2. Break down the color combination - could I use this in my own work?

3. Are there any usual design elements that were utilized? (I noticed jump rings used as spacers and seed beads used as a decorative ring to end a bracelet)

4. Is there anything usual about the clasp or how the focal bead is attached?

Here's what Art Bead Scene editor Heather Powers had to say about Brigitta's piece...
'What I love about this necklace are the subtle details. From the slight asymmetrical design to the handmade wire clasp, the little touches of leather and the tiny bird as a hidden surprise for the wearer - each part of the necklace accents the focal bead and relates to our inspiration painting."

Sunday, November 21, 2010

Just to mix it up for the upcoming holidays, I thought I'd share with you some of my favorite things from my own bead stash. Maybe you'll see something you haven't seen before or something you've been wanting but haven't actually purchased yet. Right this very moment, I have these lovely charms from Hint Jewelry on my desk. These weren't purchased to make into jewelry and sell, they'll be worn right around my lil' ol' neck!

Check out this week's links, I'm sure some of them will become your favorites!

Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done!
Jean has an amazing, don't miss, book giveaway! All you have to do is leave a comment on her blog and you might becme the winner of Lark's completely stunning 500 Plastics Jewelry Designs--what a marvel of a book!

Saturday, November 20, 2010

Welcome to Studio Saturday! Each week one of our contributors gives you a sneak peek into their studio, creative process or inspirations. We ask a related question of our readers and hope you'll leave comments! As an incentive we offer a free prize each week to bribe you to use that keyboard. The following week we choose a random winner.

You have won a set of tin components from Lorelei Eurto!
Please forward an email to Lorelei with your address so she can send your items to you!

This week you are in the Humblebeads' Studio.

Lately I have been revisiting some earlier designs in new colors and different sizes.

One of things I try to do is expand on what is already in my bead line. I create original molds for these designs, so it's a snap to press out a series of beads and play with the colors. New ideas don't always pop into my head so exploring older ideas helps during these dry times! Well not really dry, I'm just very busy working on jewelry for a show and finishing my book. (Yeah!) These were color combinations I had tucked away in a sketchbook and whipped them up this week.

Now these three I created first to use in jewelry for a holiday show. I like designs like snowflakes - they can be worn after the holidays or no matter what you celebrate during December. I also wanted to create something in a lower price range that would be a sweet gift idea. I made snowflakes last month, but these are smaller and in brighter colors but use the same mold.

A simple pendant with the snowflake focal, a rhinestone bead, pearl and resin on a gunmetal black chain. I love gunmetal chain, this one is from Rings & Things and I always have a few dozen in the studio.

So that leads me to my question for this week's Studio Saturday:

What findings or beads do you stock up on like there is a bead apocalypse on the horizon?

Mine are gunmetal chains and metal seeds in copper and nickel. Love those things! Leave a comment below for a chance to win one of my snowflake pendants.

Friday, November 19, 2010

I'm busy getting ready for my one and only holiday show in two weeks. I thought I'd share with you some beads that are on my desk and being worked into designs. These aren't paired up in any particular order. My jewelry lately is a mix of bright muted colors and earth tones mixed with pewter and brass. Lots of birds, nests, leaves, messages, words, chain and keys.

You can add these tags to your listings if you are going to offer a special during that weekend. Only use the tags that are applicable, you can use more than one if it fits. Add them now - Etsy is searching through these tags for upcoming holiday promotions, sellers are using them for treasuries and bloggers are using them to find content!

4. Make your shop gift-buying friendly. Consider creating sections based on price or other easily searchable sections such as Stocking Stuffers, Gifts for Teens, Luxury Items or Gifts under $25, Gifts under $50, etc.

Bonus tip: You can't sell from an empty cart, work on filling up your Etsy shop and keeping it full. Earrings and pendants are the ticket for this time of year. Create multiples of the same design and relist them. It's easier and quicker to make 5 pairs of earrings in 4 designs than 20 different designs - you'll cut down on time photographing and writing the listings too.

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

We're at the last Art Bead Scene Carnival Blog for 2010. It's been quite an exciting journey for ABS and the wonderful readers who have participated. To that end, it's time to celebrate the ride we've had by blogging on the theme "Celebrations." All of the ABS Carnival Bloggers were invited to participate so we have a larger than normal posts and pictures for all of us to enjoy!

3. On December 5th post a sneak peek on your blog and send me the link. On December 6th I'll send you the links of the participating blogs. (You'll replace your sneak peak with the ornament post so that we can have a list of direct links.)

4. December 7th post your ornament on your blog and the list of participating blog links.

This is an inclusive creative challenge - we'd love to see Hanukkah , Kwanzaa or Winter Solstice themed decorations along with traditional Christmas ornaments. Have fun!

You'll post a small preview of your ornament on the 5th and replace it with the full size picture and text on the 7th. So that we have a direct link to use for the hop rather than general blog url. Readers won't have to search for your blog hop posts, the links will go directly to them. Detailed instructions will be emailed to participants.